With Week 23 bursting onto the scene like the Kool-Aid Man, fantasy basketball transforms into a battle royale for the championship crown. It’s crunch time, folks! Each move is like adding mango habanero to your chicken wings—essential for that winning flavor. In other words, EVERY MOVE COUNTS. This is the moment to leave it all on the virtual court—championship glory awaits those who dare to seize it.
Last week, I recommended Miles McBride, Keon Ellis, and Mo Bamba as priority adds. Stay tuned to see if one (or more!) makes the list again.
The following players are rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues.
Deep League Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Adds for Week 23
Miles McBride, PG – New York Knicks (45% rostered)
What else does McBride need to do to be rostered in more leagues? The 23-year-old went from a sparsely used bit player off the bench to averaging 44.6 minutes per game. The West Virginia product is averaging 19.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 4.0 three-pointers, and 1.7 steals over the past seven games. The third-year pro will be on a lot of championship rosters–make sure he’s on yours.
Vasilije Micic, PG – Charlotte Hornets (47% rostered)
I never thought a starting point guard receiving 30-plus minutes a night would have his ownership dip below 50%, but here we are. After ONE down game where he posted just two points, the 30-year-old has been on a rampage over his last three games, averaging 10.3 points, 11.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers. The Serbian native has the keys to Charlotte’s offense with LaMelo Ball (ankle) out for the rest of the season. If you need elite dimes and 3-and-D stats, look no further.
Scotty Pippen, PG – Memphis Grizzlies (35% rostered)
Pippen has burned me once before. Last month, I recommended him on X (formerly Twitter) as a trustable streaming option after a big game, but Memphis sent him down to the G-League instead. The Grizzlies have called up and sent down the 23-year-old so many times you’d think they were a Major League Baseball team. But alas, the Vanderbilt product has played four straight games for Memphis, averaging a robust 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 three-pointers, and 1.8 steals. The son of Hall-of-Famer Scottie Pippen has started three games in a row and is finally getting the run he deserves. With the Grizzlies dealing with a myriad of injuries, the second-year pro’s spot in the starting lineup should be safe for the rest of the season.
Keon Ellis, SG – Sacramento Kings (39% rostered)
Here’s another player who deserves more love. Ellis has been a phenomenal 3-and-D player since taking over starting duties, averaging 2.0 three-pointers and 1.7 steals over the past six games. The 24-year-old is also averaging 28.9 minutes a game during that span, which is a trend that should continue with Kevin Huerter (shoulder) out for the rest of the season. The Alabama product is a must-add in all category leagues and a consistently decent option in Points leagues.
Jake LaRavia, PF – Memphis Grizzlies (38% rostered)
After going a putrid 1-of-9 from the field at Denver on March 25, LaRavia has been heating up, averaging 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 4.5 three-pointers, and 1.0 steals. While his upside is slightly capped with Brandon Clarke returning, the 30.0 minutes the past two games are encouraging. Memphis has every incentive to develop and play their former first-round pick heavy minutes, which gives him a safe floor the rest of the way.
As we wrap up this Deep League Waiver Wire Adds article, remember that in the wild world of fantasy basketball, you’re not just managing a team; you’re practically running a circus. Get ready to juggle waiver wire decisions, make slam-dunk moves, and dodge fantasy curveballs. Lace up your virtual shoes and let’s finish the season strong.
As for this article? In the famous words of Chick Hearn, “You can put this one in the refrigerator. The door’s closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard and the Jell-O is jiggling.”
Whether you’re in the semi-finals or championship; Good luck in Week 23!